New music from Keith, Stu, Manny and Mork

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Chaps, Since I’ve moved up to the “coast with the most” I’m finding the train commute is providing me with the perfect music listening opportunity. As such, I was wondering if anyone was interested in resurrecting the once beautiful beast that was “Try This Album”.

I was watching the recent T in The Park 2014 Friday night coverage and enjoying acts I’d tuned in for such as Manics, Biffy Clyro and Chvrches…….but wasn’t quite expecting a band I’d never heard of to eclipse them all. Two guys, one drumkit, and…..wait…..a bass Guitar? The noise was epic.

So the influences are all there to hear. Queens of the Stone Age, Led Zeppelin and White Stripes to name a few. Having said that these guys bring new blood to a long line of rock royalty. If you haven’t heard this album yet, stop what you are doing and listen.

I was so excited to hear that these guys were touring in November and were playing The ABC in Glasgow. Less excited when their entire UK tour sold out in 90 seconds. Biffy Clyro are selling out stadiums in the UK at the moment, these guys are sure to be next.

Gentlemen! I think its about time we rock on and kick start this Blog. Now that our band of merry men cover three continents there is more reason than ever to share some fine toons. As such I’m going to suggest a new format with this post. Now that Spotify have a rather nice “embed album” option I thought we might consider using that instead of uploads. Thoughts? A less laborious method of sharing music can only be a good thing.

Anyway, to get us back on track I’ve chosen an album from an artist that I know we all like. Mr Adams and his new self titled album. Thankfully this album is as we have come to expect. Consistently brilliant. I read somewhere that this album is Ryan Adams by Ryan Adams being Ryan Adams. Say no more……..

It has always surprised me how successful Mogwai have been despite; a)Their complex and anti-mainstream approach to music, and b)Their oddly chosen band name. Either way there is no arguing against the fact that these boys from Glasgow are a talented bunch.

I once had a conversation with a mate where we discussed “when is the prime time to listen to a Mogwai album”. Unfortunately it was a rather fruitless discussion but the following situations were tabled; whilst reading, traveling on a train, cycling to work, eating a pot noodle whilst hungover……. We simply couldn’t come up with the perfect situation. And in a way that’s the beauty of Mogwai. They cannot be pigeon-holed. Every album is a different and complex journey through dramatic and hypnotic landscapes. However, Mr.Beast is probably their most accessible record.

Imagine Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan locked in a room together with nothing but a weeks worth of acid to enjoy, only to then be given a bag full of uppers and transferred straight into a recording studio. This would be the result. Confused and weary, but strangely uplifting.

The hazy guitar and psychedelic Americana rock on this album has the sound and feel of both legends all over it, but the synthesiser and piano addition adds an extra layer. I absolutely love it! I really enjoyed Slave Ambient but for me this is a superior album. It is probably my favourite album of the year so far.

OK……I’m no doubt setting myself up for a few pelters here but what the hell. The Mighty Brothers Reid of Edinburgh have been producing Scottish Folk\Pop\Country tunes for over 30 years now, and this is correctly attributed as being their best album. I realise they aren’t exactly the coolest cats in town, but they certainly know how to produce a catchy pop song. It’s easy to write them off as being nothing more than merchants of music for the masses but I genuinely think they are excellent song-writers and lyricists. No really……

Of course the opening track, and unofficial Scottish national anthem, is the big hit, but for me that’s just the start of what is a cracking wee album. The title track of Sunshine on Leith is simply beautiful. I challenge you to listen to this album in its entirety and come away feeling anything other than uplifted, sunny and generally happier than you were 46 minutes prior.

The Broken Bells debut is one of my favourite (and most played) albums from the last few years. So it’s not a great surprise to say that I have been looking forward to hearing “After The Disco” since I read about it last year.

I got the album the day it came out and although not as instantly appealing as their debut, I have enjoyed it immensely. The record has a more natural flow than their previous release, which comes as no surprise really as Broken Bells always seemed to be more a collection of great songs than a true album. So in short, this is a very, very good follow up, and I think it’s fair to say if you enjoyed their first outing this is sure to deliver.